Imperial Palace
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Imperial Palace East Garden, Tokyo ©
JNTO |
Japan’s Imperial Palace is
regarded as the heart and soul of Tokyo, standing on a huge site
that still bears the remains of Edo Castle, stronghold of the
Tokugawa shogunate. The present palace was completed in 1888 and is
still home to the emperor of Japan. The palace is off-limits but its
grounds and surrounds provide a much-needed green open space for the
city with Higashi Gyoen (East Garden), site of the Edo Castle keep,
open to the public. On 2 January and 23 December each year visitors
are able to enter the inner grounds and see the Imperial family make
public appearances from the balcony. Guided tours of the palace are
offered, but are only in Japanese, although an English pamphlet and
audio guide are provided; these must be reserved in advance through
the Imperial Household Agency. In spring the gardens are abloom with
cherry blossom, particularly along the castle moat.
Transport: Subway to Tokyo station; Opening time: East Garden is open daily except Monday and
Friday from 9am to 4pm (until 3.30pm between November and February).
Closed from 28 December to 3 January and when Imperial Court
functions take place; Admission: Free
Yasukuni Shrine
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Torii gate, Yasukuni Shrine |
To the north of the Imperial Palace
lies the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, built to commemorate
Japanese war dead and now regarded as home to the souls of about two
and a half million who perished in conflict, mostly in the Pacific
War of World War II. Soldiers fought in the knowledge that their
spirits would find rest and honour at Yasukuni in the after-life.
The shrine has caused controversy for various political reasons over
the years since it was built in 1869 in honour of supporters of the
emperor, killed in the run up to the Meiji Restoration. More
recently, with regard to the country’s constitution that requires
the separation of State and religion, cabinet ministers have been
criticised for attending anniversaries of Japan’s defeat in World
War II held at the shrine. The shrine is confined behind a huge
steel torii gate, opening onto a long avenue lined with gingko and
cherry trees. The Worship Hall itself is a simple Shinto style
building. North of the shrine is the Yushukan Museum,
containing war memorabilia, some of which is disturbing and
thought-provoking such as the human torpedo and kamikaze suicide
attack plane.
Website: http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/; Transport: Subway
to Kudanshita Station; Opening time: Shrine open 24 hours
daily. Museum open daily 9am to 5pm (November to February); 9am to
5.30pm (March to October); Admission: Museum: ¥800,
concessions available
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Tokyo’s museum dedicated to detailing the city’s history, art,
culture and architecture through the medium of visual displays is an
impressive, not to be missed attraction. Edo was the old name
for Tokyo from its foundation in 1590 when it became the seat of
Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun. Exhibits include a replica of an
ancient Kabuki theatre, maps, photographs and portrayals of the
lives of the city’s merchants, craftsmen and townspeople in days
gone by.
Address: 1–4–1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku; Telephone: (0)3 3626 9974; Website: http://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/; Transport: Train to Ryogoku Station on JR Sobu line (West
Exit) or subway to Ryogoku on the Oedo line (A3/A4 exit); Opening
time: Daily 9.30am to 5.30pm; Saturdays closing at 7.30pm; Admission: ¥600, concessions available
Akihabara
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Akihabara, Tokyo ©
JNTO |
Tokyo’s electronic wonderland has
become world-renowned. In a small area near Chuo-dori Avenue, west
of Akihabara Station, are clustered more than 250 electrical
appliance and electronics shops, many of them now dealing in
computer hardware and software, where expert staff can answer
queries and visitors can browse through the showrooms of major
manufacturers. There are duty-free shops and various events to draw
the attention. The suburb has been specialising in electrical
equipment since the 1940s and is now regarded as the world’s biggest
and best electrical equipment enclave.
Website: www.akiba.or.jp/english/index.html; Transport: Subway to Akihabara Station; Opening time:
Stores are open from 10am to 7pm daily
Senso-ji Temple
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Senso-ji Temple |
The
Asakusa neighbourhood of Tokyo draws visitors to admire the city’s
oldest temple, Senso-ji, founded in AD628 with a quaint legend
attached to it. The story goes that two young brothers fishing in
the nearby river netted a golden image of Kan’non, the Buddhist
goddess of mercy, and were inspired to enshrine it in the temple.
The statuette is still inside, but never shown to the public, though
pilgrims flock here every day seeking the favour of the
goddess. There are also numerous festivals associated with the
shrine, and a hugely popular firework display is held on the Sumida
River every summer. Tourists enjoy the visit to the temple mainly
because the approach is a colourful pedestrian lane, Nakamise Dori,
lined with shops and souvenir stalls. Nearby, the Demboin Garden is
a good spot to grab a break from the city crowds.
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa Taito-ku, Shitamachi
(downtown); Telephone: (0)3 3842 0181; Transport:
Subway to Asakusa station; Opening time: Daily 6am to 5pm; Admission: Free
Tokyo Disney Resort
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Tokyo Disneyland |
Plenty of fun is to be had for the
young and young at heart at Tokyo's Disney Resort, virtually a
carbon copy of the theme park in California in the United States.
The resort consists of Disneyland Park and DisneySea Park, along
with several hotels. The expected attractions like a Jungle Cruise,
Space Mountain and Toontown are all included on the huge site.
Telephone: (045) 683 3333; Website: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/; Transport: The park is reached via the JR Keiyo Line or JR
Musashino Line from Tokyo Station; disembark at Maihama Station
(South Exit) where there is a Disneyland Welcome Centre; Opening
time: Check website for details, as hours vary according to
season and day of the week. Generally open daily 8am to 10pm with
shorter hours in winter; Admission: Entry to each park:
¥5,800 (adults), ¥5,000 (children ages12-17), ¥3,900 (children ages
4-11). Several other ticket options are also available, including
multi-day passports that allow entry to both parks
Tokyo National Museum
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Tokyo National Museum |
Close to Ueno Station, enclosed in the
Tokyo Metropolitan Imperial Gift Park, the National Museum boasts
the largest collection of Japanese art in the world. Exhibits range
from antique kimonos and delicate pottery to woodblock prints and
archaeological finds. The vast collection is displayed on a rotating
basis with at least 4,000 artefacts visible at any time, so the
museum always has something new to offer. The museum consists of
five different buildings containing numerous galleries, so one
needs sufficient time to do it justice. The Imperial Gift Park also
contains some other cultural institutions, including a zoo, the
Metropolitan Art Museum, Bunka Kaikan Cultural Hall, the Western Art
Museum and the National Science Museum.
Address: 13-9 Ueno Park,Taito-ku; Telephone: (0)3 3822 1111; Website: http://www.tnm.go.jp/; Transport: JR Line to Ueno or Uguisudani Station; Opening
time: Daily 9.30am to 5pm, depending on season; closed Mondays.
On Fridays from March to December open until 8pm; Saturdays and
Sundays from March to September until 6pm; Admission: ¥600
(adults), ¥400 (students), free for scholars
